The DA in Limpopo is deeply concerned by the Limpopo Department of Health’s continuously rising medico-legal liabilities, mainly because of medical negligence.
A recent response to a DA parliamentary question indicated that Limpopo’s Department of Health has paid out R266.8 million in medico-legal claims from January 2020 to December 2023 from 30 claims. The department also had 903 medico-legal claims filed against it and spent R63.1 million on legal costs.
The province has always struggled to contain medico-legal liabilities, and for the period between 2014/15 and 2021/22 the department registered 1773 cases and incurred liabilities of R8.4 billion. Vhembe district accounts for the highest number of cases at 594 and the highest medico-legal liabilities at R5 billion.
The factors related to the root causes of the high rate of litigation against the department are critical staff shortages in high-risk areas, clinical errors, poor quality healthcare, lack of professionalism, poor communication and staff attitude, lack of equipment, failure to obtain informed consent, missed diagnosis, failure to conduct basic investigations and system errors.
The rising number of claims in Limpopo shows that hospital conditions in the province are not improving but continue to worsen. The province’s health facilities are in an appalling state and the hundreds of millions spent on medical negligence claims could vastly improve the condition of our healthcare facilities.
These claims threaten to bankrupt and collapse the health system in the province, and the departmental strategies to reduce litigations, improve governance and improve the quality of healthcare residents receive are failing.
Firm action is needed to improve the quality of care in the province’s hospitals to ensure they are functional and do not inflict further harm on patients. The failure by Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba, and the department to address litigation claims results in the deterioration of care in our healthcare system.
We will continue applying pressure on the department to make sure that this financial burden is reduced and healthcare services are improved. A DA-led government will ensure an adequate and efficient healthcare service for all the residents of Limpopo.